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Things to do in Barcelona with Kids | The Ultimate Barcelona Guide

The capital city of Catalonia, Barcelona, is settled on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, which means miles of sandy coastline and spellbinding views. Traveling to Barcelona with kids is a treat for the family with fun activities, intriguing architecture that even the kids will stop to stare at, and a culture that is fascinating and inviting.

Whether you wish to participate in a cooking class and learn to make paella with the kids or if you want to visit a museum to teach kids a bit of history, there is something that will catch your eye in Barcelona. Take a walk on Las Ramblas, go on an Antoni Gaudí tour, and watch the mesmerizing water show at the Magic Fountain in Montjuic. Here is our guide to the perfect, fun-for-all, trip to Barcelona with kids!

Is it Easy to Travel to Barcelona with Kids?

Barcelona is a modern city that goes the extra mile to preserve its heritage and tradition. The city caters to different types of travelers with different needs and for families, it is especially exciting. The city has a lot to offer in terms of activities including bike tours of Barcelona where the entire family can hop on bicycles and visit the best spots around.

Barcelona has an efficient public transportation system with its metro, FGC, tram, and buses serving the locals and tourists. Visit the beach, like Barceloneta, for volleyball, cycling, boat trips, and sunset cruises. Kids will love building sandcastles as you relax on the beach.

Best time to visit Barcelona with Kids

March to May is the best time to visit Barcelona with Kids

Spring

Spring, March-May, is one of the best times to visit Barcelona with kids as the temperature is mild and pleasant while the atmosphere is electric owing to the many Spring festivals like Sant Jordi’s Day. Spring is also the ideal time to visit nearby areas like Costa Brava and Girona as the crowds are thinner.

Summer

Summer, June-August, in Barcelona is sweltering and sultry, think umpteen ice-cream cones for the kids and Sangria for the parents. Summer is peak tourist season in Spain. For the best experience, visit popular landmarks like La Sagrada Família as early as possible before the post-lunch crowds.

Autumn

Autumn, September-November, signals the end of sultry afternoons with a cool breeze lifting spirits for a more festival atmosphere. La Mercè Festival is the most-awaited fall event with citywide celebrations, firecrackers, dancing, and pageantry. Autumn is also the rainy season, so if you’re traveling to Barcelona with kids, this is something to take into consideration

Winter

Winter, December-February, in Barcelona is a mild affair with temperatures hovering around 16°C, perfect for kids as you don’t have to worry about runny noses and untimely colds. The crowds are thinner after the busy autumn season and you can enjoy the city a lot more luxuriously.

Spend at least four days in Barcelona with kids as you can cover a lot of ground in terms of popular attractions, amusement parks like Tibidabo, and the beaches.

Top 15 Things to Do in Barcelona with Kids

Kids Under 3

Kids Between 3-5

Kids Between 6-8

Kids Between 9-12

Kids Between 13-16

L’Aquarium Barcelona

What: L’Aquarium houses 35 unique aquariums with thousands of species of marine animals and an interactive children’s area, Explora!
Where: del Port Vell (Maps)
Price: Adult €21; Child €8-€16 (Free below 3 years)

Nova Icària Beach

What: Nova Icària is one of the most popular beaches in Barcelona as it is calmer with finer sand, safer for kids. You can play beach volleyball in the courts.
Where: Nova Icària (Maps)
Price: Free

Parc Del Laberint d’horta

What: A charming garden with a popular Cyprus tree maze, fountains, and canals for a quiet day with kids.
Where: Passeig dels Castanyers (Maps)
Price: Adult €2,23; Child (under 4) Free

La Ramblas

What: The main street in Barcelona lined with trees on either side and a bustling center for travelers looking for food, drink, and entertainment.
Where: La Ramblas (Map)
Price: Free

Barcelona Cable Car

What: A gondola ride up to Montjuïc with stunning city views and a panorama comprising the harbor.
Where: Avinguda Miramar (Maps)
Price: Adult €13,50; Child €9,70

Chocolate Museum

What: Learn all about chocolates at the Chocolate Museum from how it is made to its purpose. Kids can even participate in the chocolate workshop!
Where: Carrer del Comerç (Maps)
Price: Adult €6; Child (under 7) Free

Theatrical Tour of Casa Batlló

What: A theatrical tour of Casa Batlló, an example of the unique nature of Gaudí’s craft and a UNESCO World Heritage Site finished in 1906
Where: Passeig de Gràcia (Maps)
Price: Adult €37; Child (under 7) Free

La Boqueria Food Market

What: A large open-air food market with fresh vegetables, fruits, and local dishes.
Where: La Rambla (Maps)
Price: Free

Magic Fountains Montjuic

What: A mesmerizing sound and light show set to music.
Where: Plaça de Carles Buïgas (Maps)
Price: Free

Paella Cooking Class

What: Learn to make the famous traditional rice dish in Spain, paella, with kids.
Where: Passatge Madoz (Maps)
Price: €36 per head

Poble Espanyol

What: A recreation of Spanish Villages in an expansive open-air museum that was built in 1929.
Where: Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia (Maps)
Price: Adult €12,60; Child €6,30 (online booking)

Barcelona Walking Tour

What: A walking tour of Barcelona with kids covering popular landmarks and areas like the Gothic Quarter.
Where: Plaza Sant Jaume (Maps)
Price: €18

Barcelona Hop-on-Hop-off Tour

What: A HOHO bus tour of Barcelona covering major attractions around the city.
Where: Any destination
Price: €30

Tibidabo Amusement Park

What: One of the oldest amusement parks in Europe with fun rides and events for the family.
Where: Plaça del Tibidabo (Maps)
Price: €10,30 - €28,50

Montserrat Mountain

What: Ideal for hiking and adventure with spectacular views from the top.
Where: Montserrat (Maps)
Price: Free

Suggested Itineraries for Barcelona with Kids

Two-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Morning – Ciutadella Park
Noon – Nova Icària Beach
Evening – La Boqueria Food Market
Night – Live Music at Casa Batlló

Day 2

Morning – Tour of the Gothic Quarter
Noon – Parc Güell
Evening – La Ramblas
Night - Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

3-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Morning – Barceloneta Beach
Noon – Las Ramblas
Evening – Camp Nou
Night – Paella Cooking Class

Day 2

Morning – La Sagrada Família
Noon – La Boqueeria Food Market
Evening – Open-air Cinema at Montjuïc
Night – Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

Day 3

Morning – Picasso Museum
Noon – Nova Icària Beach
Evening – Sant Antoni
Night – Live music at Casa Batlló

Kid-friendly Hotels in Barcelona

B&Bs

La Casa Gran B&B

Where: Avinguda Diagonal
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €85-€110 (Image Credits)

Murmuri Residence Mercader

Where: Paastge de Mercader
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €180

Grandom Suites

Where: Plaça del Dr. Letamendi
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €180-€198

Budget

Hotel Colonial Barcelona

Where: Via Laietana
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €60-€70

Hotel Ciutat de Barcelona

Where: Carrer de la Pricesa
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €50-€60 (Image Credits)

Economy

Hotel Europark

Where: Arago
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €117

Hotel Jazz

Where: Pelai
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €120-€135 (Image Credits)

Luxury

Seventy Barcelona

Where: Carrer de Còrsega
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €170-€180

Majestic Hotel & Spa

Where: Passeig de Gràcia
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €240-€280

W Barcelona

Where: Plaça Rosa Del Vents
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €300

Tours & Tickets

Barcelona is an invigorating city for sightseeing, adventure, and excitement. A guided tour or a self-guided tour for different activities can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience with kids as it is cheap, all-inclusive, and time-saving. Some of the most popular tours are city tours, bike tours, and even day trips to nearby areas. Kids will love a Gaudí tour of landmarks like Park Güell and Casa Milà that are listed as heritage sites by UNESCO owing to the eclectic and quirky architecture inspired by Gothic style.

HOHO Bus Tours

Price: €32 | TripAdvisor

Priority Access La Sagrada Família Tour

Price: €90 | TripAdvisor

Telerific De Montjuic or Cable Car

Price: €13,50

Skip-the-Line Tour of the Gothic Quarter

Price: €25

Girona & Figueres and Dalí Museum

Price: €79

Know Before You Go

Packing For a Trip with Kids

How to Get Travel Insurance

Shopping Hacks

Public Transport Passes

Getting Around

Pack essentials like raincoats, umbrellas, and vats of sunscreen for Barcelona where the streets are trendsetting and the beach is reserved for shorts and swimwear.

Opt for a family holiday insurance that covers accidents like baggage loss, hotels, medical emergencies, etc. when you are traveling to Barcelona with kids. Another important reason for travel insurance is that it covers trip cancellations, delays, or interruptions.

Open-air markets like La Boqueria and Sant Antoni are cheap, accessible, and lively, however, some other popular areas with independent boutiques and designers are La Roca Village for outlet shopping, Chocolates Lacasa – La Boutique, and La Manual Alpargatera for espadrilles.

A Hola Barcelona Travel Card works on any form of public transportation in Barcelona including trains, buses, and the FGC.

Metro

There are 8 metro lines in Barcelona connecting the majority of the city. It is a convenient, time-saving, and feasible mode of transportation. With a T-casual card or a Barcelona Card, you can use the Barcelona metro network at a discounted price. For kids younger than 4 years, train tickets are free or discounted.

Train (FGC)

The FGC works in tandem with the Barcelona Metro (TMB) with three lines – L6, L7, and L8. Avail free transfers on multiple modes of transportation within 1h15m.

Tram

The Barcelona Tram was inaugurated in 2004 and it is an efficient way to see the city as it serves two major lines connecting shopping areas, residential areas, and industrial zones. A single ticket will cost you €2,40. You can purchase a Hola Barcelona card for discounted rates for adults and kids.

Taxi

The iconic yellow-black taxis in Barcelona are easy to find, convenient, and cheap with fares starting from €2,50. You can get a taxi straight from the airport to your hotel.

Bus

A transport pass or a travel card will work on buses as well as trains in Barcelona. The city is serviced by 1000+ buses that connect over 100 routes and supplement the FGC and TMB. Low-floor buses are accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Rental Bikes

Bike tours of Barcelona are a popular way to get around the city and, at the same time, visit popular attractions and landmarks. Special bicycle lanes ensure your safety as they weave through roads and parks. Some of the bike rental companies are AJO, Bamboo Bike, etc.

Car

Car rentals are ideal for day trips to nearby areas and regions such as Costa Brava or Montserrat, however, the public transport system is the best way to travel around Barcelona.

Daily Expenditure in Barcelona

On average, a traveler can expect to spend around €80-€150 a day on accommodation, sightseeing, food, and drink. Don’t buy water and carry your own bottle as there are water taps with safe drinking water everywhere.

Dress code: Barcelona is a stylish city with well-dressed locals who like to don the latest trends. Keep in mind that shorts are great at the beach, but not so much in the city. Cathedrals require modest clothing with covered limbs.
Rules & Regulations: Barcelona sees millions of tourists each year and it is advised to follow the rules and regulations for a smooth experience. Street drinking is illegal and donning beachwear at a restaurant is often frowned upon.
Coronavirus advisory: Be advised that the Government of Catalonia has issued an advisory against travel to and from Barcelona at the moment. Check here for travel advisories to Spain.